Customer Reviews

Salsa Dura

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

When judging the talent of a musician, artist, or singer my favorite way to judge someone is to see the performance live on stage. There are too many that come out with these awesome productions but in person the really don't amount to much, it's really a disappointment when you see it live. But Jimmy Bosh is none of that. Six years ago my brother Andy Rodriguez first mentioned the name of Jimmy Bosh just like he mentioned Domingo Quiñones and now he's mentioned Mayito Rivera from Cuba; Van Van's lead vocalist. As Andy told me Jimmy Bosh was this hardcore Trombone played that has played for everyone and that he does sensational solos. Okay, I thought, then one day Larry Harlow sent me some pictures, one of those pictures included Jimmy Bosh...I did not even know who he was from the photo. Then one afternoon I'm hanging out with Hilton Bonilla in New York City so Hilton took me to a Willie Colón concert in Central Park; of course we ended up in front of the stage with the press people. Then Hilton told me; Sam that guy next to Willie is Jimmy Bosh. My goodness I was about eight feet next to Willie Colón and Jimmy Bosh. Let me summarize what I saw, Jimmy Bosh is this fantastic trombone player that lives the music and was having blast when playing, he's a real master of Salsa Urban Live music. The guy would read maybe like 3 or 4 lines of music and play the rest by memory. Just looking at him real intense gave me the perception that he figured out the whole arrangement in five second and would spend the rest of the time just jamming or that he knew the music by heart. Then on top of that he was dancing as if he were Oscar D' Leon with the bass. It was beautiful to see him go off on his music fantasy; It was addictive. I had my JVC Camcorder rolling and could not focus on anyone else. My Camcorder was aiming at Willie and Jimmy but Jimmy got the best and most of the film. Jimmy Bosh commanded my attention, there was nothing else for me.

Then one day I heard his first CD at Tower, I was not that impressed but, what got me was the fact that he now started doing his own music. The other thing that impressed me was the fact that he was not following the trend of romantic ballad music themes. On his first CD it was like was sending out a message and demonstrating that he was doing his own thing and that he had been doing his homework and wanted to break away from the same of the mundane productions of the 80's and 90's. I mean he was not even with the same labels. Jimmy Bosh could have singed with anyone but he figured out that he wanted to do something totally different and with a different recording culture. Clearly he inferred that he did not want any monkeys on his back so he came out different. So I told myself this guy has a vision or has been reading the messages on the Afro-Latin newsgroup. So that stayed right there.

Then this April I was in Puerto Rico and Andy pulls out Jimmy's latest Salsa Dura. I had seen the CD Cover but never heard the music. I mean Ana Araiz did not even send me my sample of the CD and she normally does; not this one. So then Andy tells me the whole story of La Cacharra and La Noticia songs. Interesting I thought, so then Andy stops talking and pops in the CD. Oh my Goodness, Jimmy Bosh is for real his vision is on full blast. Jimmy Bosh wants to make music about every day life similar to Gran Combo, Tito Puente, Rubén Blades, Larry Harlow, Eddie Palmieri, Los Van Van, and now Domingo Quiñones.

Based on the music of Salsa Dura production Jimmy Bosh is on his way working to be at the same level of the masters of Salsa that I just mentioned. Salsa Dura is not one of those Cracker Jack Productions in which all the songs are all about the same stuff or that the songs sound about the same stuff. Not this one, this CD has the whole spectrum of Latin rhythms that make up salsa music. The only love song is a bolero which is rightly adequate for the tempo. The only thing I don't like about the CD is seen Ana's name on it and knowing that she never told me about this work. Looking close at this CD I see the pictures and awesome musicians ... that truly make this CD a five star. My Favorite Track are 1, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12 Effective immediately I'm starting my Jimmy Bosh collection and posting this review on Amazon.

Jimmy Bosch brings everything but the kitchen sink in his latest album Salsa Dura. This album is brilliant and all the songs are well composed. Jimmy and friends do a great job on their improvisational skills and bring out tremendous vibes and emotion through their insrtuments. If you are sick and tired of the romantic modern so called salsa of today and would like to hear music based on everyday life, buy this album its a must.

I am new to Salsa and thanks to this amazing CD I can understand the excitement of the music. I not only listen to the music, but I am absorbed by every note. Jimmy Bosch has taught me a lesson in the true meaning of music. It comes from the heart, soul and life. It is an expression of emotions that allows the listener to experience the music in a way that involves our own emotions. The artists on Salsa Dura are truely major talents and should be celebrated and applauded for their musical expression. I recommend this CD for people of all musical preferences as it will surely open you to a new way of listening.

These jams are furious, scorching hot and danceable to the core. Starting with a sleak mid-paced guaganco, Jimmy and the band never let up. Even the ballads (one guajira, one bolero)find an undeniable groove.
The recording is done without many effects. The vocals, piano and percussion especially are free of reverb and other slick studio effects that tend to steal salsa's fire. We are left with pure flame on this recording.
The high points are the above guaganco, the the straight-up son (track 4), and check out the scorching jams on track 6 & 7. If you're not careful, you'll lose the clave!! Don't think twice; Buy this one!

I love this cd. The selection of music that Jimmy's band brings is excellent, the sound quality, etc... is very nice. This is a cd that I could listen to over and over again nonstop, it is a cd where my love for latin music and the rest of my family's love for jazz mix, and we can share this cd!

A descarga is a Jam, basically allowing the musicians room to stretch and do what they want. The musicians here are great, but the band does not feel as tight as it could, there is not so much play between each of the musicians as there is each of them taking their turn doing their part in the jam.

I really loved his Avion de la Salsa CD where everything came together. If you must have one of his albums, buy that one instead.

I've had "La Cacharra" in mp3 format for a long while, and I love that song, it could make even the dead dance, then, a few years ago I heard "Un Poquito Mas", and since then I've had this CD in my wish list. I don't know why I waited for so long to get it. Jimmy Bosch and friends, are simply amazing.

I disagree with some reviewers who think that this CD is not very danceable. Most of its songs make my shoes move on their own. Speak No Evil doesn't make me want to dance, but just because I want to close my eyes and enjoy every single note, this song is Latin Jazz at its best.

If you like salsa dura, muy dura, then what are you waiting for? Don't be like me, just get this CD. Jimmy Bosch's "Salsa Dura" is indeed the real deal.

If you love Salsa you will love this CD. The tunes are expertly crafted, have an incedibly authentic cuban sound, but with modern feel and absolutely masterful musicianship.

My favorite tune is "La Cachara" - a song about a guy who's jalopy breaks down in the middle of a busy intersection - lyrics are hilarious and the tune is a real toe-tapper.

You will not be able to keep your seat when this CD is playing - grab a partner and hit the dance floor.

If you are looking for an album with straight up danceable salsa/son from start to finish this is probably not the album for you as there are only a couple of tracks which would fit into this description (Tracks 1/4/11). However, Jimmy Bosch is a huge talent and if you are looking for something a little different / a little innovative try this. Track 4 is a classic and was amongst my favourite tunes for many years. I also love track 6 which completely changes tempo half way through into a beautiful melody. Also a bonus with this cd is that it comes with an english translation of the lyrics, so us non-spanish speakers can get an idea of what he is singing about. For example, who would have guessed that Track 4 - with its highly danceable beat, would be so sad. Enjoy!

This album is really a very good sample of unadulterated salsa music, however it is hardly danceable.From the 12 tracks that it contains only the no 1 'La Cacharra' and no 11 'Sigo Cambiando' can be considered as almost decent dancing tracks, and those for the very hardcore salseros.The rest is just a good latin music album for collectors.